PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's basketball has announced it will recognize its second Knights of Honor class when it inducts Scarlet Knight legends Kelvin Troy ('81), Roy Hinson ('83) and John Battle ('85) later this season.

The Knights of Honor program celebrates a distinguished class of men's basketball players who represented Rutgers at the highest level—both on and off the court. The honorees achieved individual and team success that left an indelible mark on the history of Rutgers men's basketball.

This year's Knights of Honor ceremony will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, when the Scarlet Knights host Maryland at Jersey Mike's Arena. Troy, Hinson, and Battle will join the inaugural class—Mike Dabney, Hollis Copeland, and Eddie Jordan—in receiving this prestigious recognition. Their jerseys will hang alongside the Knights of Honor display and Rutgers' three retired jerseys: Bob Lloyd (14), Phil Sellers (12), and James Bailey (20). All letterwinners will be invited to attend the game against Maryland on Sunday at noon at Jersey Mike's Arena.
  Head Coach Steve Pikiell on the 2025 Knights of Honor Class

"Kelvin, Roy, and John are three of the all-time greats to wear the Rutgers uniform," said head coach Steve Pikiell. "They represented our program with pride, toughness, and class—values that continue to define Rutgers men's basketball today. Their impact on and off the court still resonates with our players, alumni, and fans. We're thrilled to honor their legacies inside Jersey Mike's Arena and welcome them back home to the Banks."
 

Kelvin Troy ('81)

A 6'5", 195-pound forward, Kelvin Troy played at Rutgers from 1977–81, helping the Scarlet Knights to a 76–46 record during his career. That stretch included a 24–7 mark and third-place NIT finish in 1977–78 and a 22–9 season capped by an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 1978–79.

As a junior, Troy led the team in scoring (18.9), rebounding (8.3), and steals (51), earning Honorable Mention All-America and All-Eastern Eight, All-Metropolitan Area, and All-New Jersey honors. Upon graduation, Troy ranked eighth all-time in scoring (1,458 points, now 13th) and seventh in rebounds (703, now 10th). He averaged 15.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game over his career.

Known for his toughness and defensive prowess, Troy was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the nation's top ten defenders prior to the 1979–80 season. A fifth-round NBA Draft pick of the Milwaukee Bucks, he went on to play professionally in Ireland.

"Being recognized as a Knight of Honor means everything," said Troy. "Rutgers shaped me as a person and a player. I'm proud to have been part of a program that values hard work, defense, and team basketball. To be remembered alongside these great players is truly special."
Roy Hinson ('83)

A 6'9" forward from Franklin High School (N.J.), Roy Hinson was a dominant defensive presence for Rutgers from 1979–83. Hinson ranks second all-time in program history with 356 blocked shots.
Developing his game each season, Hinson's scoring average climbed from 9.7 points as a freshman to 16.6 as a senior. His 1,525 career points rank 10th in school history, and his 860 rebounds are fifth all-time.

A first-round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1983 NBA Draft, Hinson went on to average 14.2 points per game over an eight-year NBA career with the Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Jersey Nets, before a knee injury ended his career in 1991.

"It's an incredible honor to be recognized by my alma mater," said Hinson. "Rutgers was where I grew up—on the court and off it. To share this honor with my teammates and with Kelvin and John makes it even more meaningful. Once a Scarlet Knight, always a Scarlet Knight."
 
John Battle ('85)

A 6'2" guard from Washington, D.C., John Battle rose from an unheralded recruit to one of Rutgers' all-time greats between 1981–85. After limited minutes as a freshman, Battle emerged as a key contributor by his sophomore year, helping lead Rutgers to the 1983 NCAA Tournament, where the Scarlet Knights defeated Southwestern Louisiana in the opening round.

Battle broke out as a junior, averaging 21.0 points per game in both his junior and senior seasons. Known for his athleticism and outside shooting, he scored 608 points as a senior and finished with 1,385 career points, ranking 15th all-time (10th at the time of his graduation).

Selected in the fourth round of the 1985 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Battle played 11 seasons in the NBA with the Hawks (1985–91) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (1991–96), totaling over 5,000 career points and 1,200 assists.

"It's an honor. Even though I went on to play many years in the NBA, Rutgers is still on my mind because of the improbable way I got there, and I really enjoyed myself there and became a ball player there. They were the only Division I school that seriously recruited me. When they offered me a scholarship, I was almost like a deer in headlights. I was like, 'Is this for real?"